We Are Independent

Since 1947, Flight Safety Foundation has helped save lives around the world. The Foundation is an international non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to provide impartial, independent, expert safety guidance and resources for the aviation and aerospace industry.

Flight Safety Foundation

Our Heritage Positions Us for the Changes Ahead

Since 1947, Flight Safety Foundation has helped protect everyone who benefits from air travel, everywhere in the world. The Foundation is an international non-profit organization exclusively chartered to provide impartial, independent, expert safety guidance and resources for the aviation and aerospace industry.

The Foundation is in a unique position to identify global safety issues, set priorities and serve as a catalyst to address these concerns through data collection and information sharing, education, advocacy and communications. The Foundation’s effectiveness in bridging proprietary, cultural and political differences in the common cause of safety has earned worldwide respect. The common good of safer air travel continues to inspire individuals and organizations to rise above competitive interests towards shared objectives.

Today, membership includes more than 1,000 organizations and individuals in 150 countries. The Foundation is based in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S., has a regional office in Melbourne, Australia.

Connect, Influence and lead global aviation safety.

Develop safety standards.

Provide independent technical assistance.

Disseminate safety information.

Impartially resolve community issues.

Share leading practices.

Globally represent the industry.

Facilitate safety solutions.

70 Years of Making Aviation Safer

Since Flight Safety Foundation was organized in 1947 by Jerome F. “Jerry” Lederer, it has initiated projects and developed products to reduce risk and improve aviation safety worldwide.

The Foundation has received several awards in recognition of its work. These include the Air Transport World magazine Joseph S. Murphy Industry Service Award in 2008, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Excellence in Aviation Research Award in 2004, the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Pinnacle Award for safety education in 2000 and the Flight International Aerospace Industry Award for training and safety in 1998, 2000 and 2002.

Recognizing Contributions to Aviation Safety

Every day, tens of thousands of people around the world contribute to making commercial aviation the safest form of transportation. They do so not because they expect special recognition. They think safety and act in ways that promote safety because they know the aviation industry depends on it, and because it is the right thing to do.

Flight Safety Foundation cannot salute all these men and women individually, although it pays tribute to them in the aggregate. But each year, it singles out individuals, organizations and teams that have made especially outstanding contributions to risk reduction, often during long periods or entire careers.

Safety Research Resource

The Jerry Lederer Aviation Safety Library was created by Flight Safety Foundation as an independent source of aviation safety information for FSF members, as well as the news media and the public. The Library subsequently was relocated to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, to join the holdings of the Aviation Safety and Security Archives. The rich resources of the Lederer Library continue to be available to all FSF members.

Safety Experts from Around the World

Flight Safety Foundation is a nonprofit organization staffed and managed by a small group of specialists in aviation safety and aviation communications. Operations are overseen by a board of governors, with primary guidance by a foundation governance council. The board is composed of executives from all segments of the global aviation industry to provide as broad a view of issues as possible. In addition, several standing advisory committees and ad hoc study groups provide focused, detailed direction and assistance in identifying and addressing opportunities for the continual improvement of aviation safety worldwide.